A good moral character is the first essential. It is highly important not only to be learned but to be virtuous.

The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will.

I was no party man myself, and the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them.

Uniformity in the currency, weights, and measures of the United States is an object of great importance, and will, I am persuaded, be duly attended to.

The United States enjoy a scene of prosperity and tranquility under the new government that could hardly have been hoped for.

[T]here is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists . . . an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness.

In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.